Refrigerator and/or Freezer Unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention covers a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having at least one wall or door which has a cut-out in which a dispensing unit, in particular for ice, a liquid or the like, is located or through which such a dispensing unit is accessible, wherein a frame is provided to cover the dispensing unit and wherein fastening means are provided by means of which the frame can be fixed. In accordance with the invention, the fastening means include at least one fastening apparatus which is adjustable by means of a thread in the thickness direction of the wall or door and which has connection means, in particular latching means, by means of which the frame or another part of the unit can be connected, preferably releasably, to the fastening apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having at least one wall or door which has a cut-out in which a dispensing unit, in particular for ice, a liquid or the like, is located or through which such a dispensing unit is accessible, wherein a frame is provided to cover the dispensing unit and wherein fastening means are provided by means of which the frame can be fixed.

It is known from the prior art to carry out the gap between a dispensing unit and the cut-out of an outer door by means of a frame which is fixed by means of latch elements. Such a known embodiment can be seen in FIG. 10. The outer door is designated by the reference numeral 4 there; the reference numeral 1 designates the dispensing unit behind it from the view of the user. The outer door has a cut-out 4′ through which the dispensing unit is accessible for a user. The reference numeral 3 designates a frame which is latched to the foamed part of the dispensing unit 1 by means of the latch elements 3′. Such a cover provides a good screen and ensures an appealing visual overall appearance of the transition region between the dispensing unit and the cut-out of the door. However, it has the disadvantage that respectively different frames have to be used for differently thick outer doors or for differently thick covers or panels of the doors in order to bring them into latching engagement with the dispensing unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the underlying object of the present invention to further develop a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit of the initially named kind such that one and the same frame can be used for different door thicknesses.

This object is achieved by a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having the features herein of claim 1. Provision is accordingly made that the fastening means has at least one fastening apparatus adjustable by means of a thread in the thickness direction of the wall or of the door. Provision is thus made in accordance with the invention that a stepless variation of the spacing between the frame and the dispensing unit or the door is possible by a fastening apparatus so that different frames do not necessarily have to be used for different thicknesses of the door or of its cover. Apart from this, the occurrence of gaps between the frame and the assembly adjacent thereto can be prevented or minimized by the fastening apparatus.

The present invention is generally basically and universally conceivable for all refrigerator units and/or freezer units which have a dispensing unit for the dispensing of any desired medium, preferably water, fruit juices, ice in its various forms, ice cubes, crushed ice, etc., and the like. The present invention can be used in units without panels, that is, without a cover of the door or also in doors having such panels.

Provision is furthermore made that the fastening apparatus has connection means, in particular latching means, by means of which the frame or another part of the unit can be connected, preferably releasably, to the fastening apparatus. It is thus, for example, conceivable that the frame is simply latched to the fastening apparatus which is, for example, arranged at the door, or preferably at the dispensing unit. A connection of the frame to the fastening apparatus is established by this, with the adjustment in the depth direction taking place by the threaded arrangement.

The term “cover of the dispensing unit” is to be given a wide interpretation and includes every conceivable panel or cover, e.g. at the dispensing unit, in the region of the dispensing unit, at or in the cut-out of the wall or door or at or in the cut-out of a panel of the wall or door. It is thus, for example, conceivable that the frame covers a gap or transition region between the door or its panel and the dispensing unit or a part thereof such as a screen, etc.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the fastening apparatus is arranged at the door or at the dispensing unit or another assembly connected to the door or to the dispensing unit and is connected, preferably releasably, to the frame via the named connection means. Provision can be made alternatively to this that the fastening apparatus is arranged at the frame and is releasably connected via the connection means to the door, to the dispensing unit or to an assembly arranged at the door or at the dispensing unit. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the fact that the fastening apparatus is arranged at the dispensing unit and has latching means which can be connected to latching means of the frame.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the fastening apparatus includes at least one socket, preferably a plurality of sockets, provided with a thread and in which a threaded bolt is arranged whose thread is in engagement with the thread of the socket. It is generally also conceivable to provide the “sockets” with an external thread and to screw on the threaded bolts.

This threaded bolt can have a part of the connection means, that is, can serve to fix the frame to the unit.

It is thus conceivable, for example, that the threaded bolt has a recess into which a projection of the frame engages so that the frame can be connected to the threaded bolt which is in turn connected via the threaded section to the socket.

As stated, an advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises the fact that the at least one socket is arranged in or at the dispensing unit, preferably in the foamed part of the dispensing unit.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the threaded bolt has a flexible region, in particular a flexible central section, for the compensation of positional tolerances.

This enables a particularly simple fixing of the frame to the unit.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the threaded bolt has a region for the reception of a tool. This region can be used for the reception of a screw-in tool such as a conventional screwdriver or a screwdriver with Torx, etc.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the frame is designed as peripheral, i.e. extends peripherally around the region of the dispensing unit. The term “frame” is, however, not necessarily to be understood as a peripheral component, even though such an embodiment is preferred. The term “frame” can, for example, also include a straight part, a U-shaped part, an L-shaped part or any other part of a different design, etc.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the fastening apparatus includes a screw, with a part of the connection means or latching means being formed by the screw head.

It is thus conceivable, for example, to screw a standardized screw into the named socket whose head serves as a connection means for the connection to the frame.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the screw is dimensioned such that its external thread is in engagement with the internal thread of the socket.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the at least one socket is plugged into or otherwise connected to the dispensing unit, the door or the frame and is preferably latched there or is alternatively executed with the dispensing unit, the door or the frame. In this case, the socket can thus, for example, already be manufactured in one piece with the dispensing unit in the manufacturing process thereof.

The socket can have a dome-shaped section into which a threaded socket is inserted. Alternatively to this, provision can be made that the socket has a threaded section formed in one piece with that of the socket.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that a plurality of spatially distributed fastening apparatus, preferably a plurality of fastening apparatus distributed over the periphery of the recess of the wall or of the door, are provided. It is thus possible to carry out different positions or an exact adjustment such that the frame contacts the door, preferably the outer side of the door, as well as possible and such that joints are accordingly prevented as much as possible. A preferred embodiment of the invention thus provides that not only one fastening apparatus, but rather a plurality of locally distributed fastening apparatus are provided. It is, for example, conceivable that the recess is rectangular or square and that such a fastening apparatus is provided on each side and/or in each corner region and/or at least on two oppositely disposed sides.

Provision is made in a further embodiment of the invention that the door includes an outer door without a cover or also an outer door on which one or more panels, that is, covers, of the door are arranged. The cover of the door can thus e.g. be a backer panel or an overlay panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages and particulars of the invention will be explained in detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. There are shown:

FIG. 1: a sectional representation through a unit door with an overlay panel;

FIG. 2: a sectional representation through a unit door with a backer panel;

FIG. 3: a sectional representation through a door with an overlay panel and a screw as the threaded bolt;

FIG. 4: a detailed representation of the latch connection between the screw head and the frame;

FIG. 5: a sectional representation through a unit door with an overlay panel with domes arranged at the foamed part of the dispensing unit and having threaded sockets injected, pressed or embedded therein;

FIG. 6: a sectional representation of a unit door in accordance with FIG. 5, but with a backer panel;

FIG. 7: a perspective representation and a sectional representation through a unit door in the region of the dispensing unit with a backer panel;

FIG. 8: a perspective representation and a sectional representation through a unit door in the region of the dispensing unit with an overlay panel;

FIG. 9: a sectional representation through a threaded bolt; and

FIG. 10: a sectional representation through a unit door in the region of the dispensing unit in accordance with the prior art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows with the reference numeral 1 a dispensing unit for ice or other solid or also liquid goods which extends through a recess 41 of the outer door 4 of a refrigerator unit or a freezer unit. The marginal region of the recess is designated by the reference numeral 4′ in FIG. 1. The part of the dispensing unit 1 projecting with respect to the outer door 4 is covered at least partly in the manner of a frame by a panel 5 of the dispensing unit 1. The panel 5 of the dispensing unit 1 can also be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8. As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 1, a so-called backer panel 9 and an overlay panel 10 are located in front of the outer door 1, which comprises metal, for example, from the view of the user, whereby a comparatively large thickness of the door results.

A frame is designated by the reference numeral 8 which serves to cover the region between the door or the panels 9, 10 and the dispensing unit 1 or its panel 5.

Individual threaded sockets 6 provided with an internal thread are plugged into and latched to the foamed part of the dispensing unit 1. The number of threaded sockets 6 is any desired and is preferably selected so that a good overall adjustment of the frame 8 is possible. Threaded pins 7 having an external thread are screwed so far into the threaded sockets 6 until they are flush with the surface of the outwardly disposed panel 10. The threaded pins 7 have a ball bushing 7 in their end region facing the frame 8.

The threaded pins 7 are designed so that they have a flexible central region which can compensate positional tolerances. They have a spherical hollow shape in their end region facing the frame 8 which serves for the latching to the frame 8 or to a ball head 8′ arranged thereat. The threaded bolt 7 furthermore has, in front of the region in which the ball head 8′ of the frame 8 is received, a receiver 7″ for a screw-in tool such as a screwdriver, a wrench, a screwdriver with Torx, etc. What is important is that the threaded pin 7 is axially adjustable relative to the internal thread of the threaded socket 6 by means of its external thread, whereby the threaded pin can thus be screwed in or out in the depth direction. It is possible in this manner to effect an adjustment or alignment of the frame 8 in the depth direction.

As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 1, the threaded pin has ribs as kinking protection in the central region.

The threaded pins 7 furthermore have the function of enabling an exchange of air in the threaded socket 6 and thereby preventing condensation in the socket 6.

As can furthermore be seen from FIG. 1, the ball geometry 8′ of the frame 8 is pressed into the spherical hollow shape 7′ in the end region of the threaded pin and is held in shape-matched manner due to the undercut of the hollow shape 7′. The spherical lugs 8′ of the frame 8 can be inserted relatively easily into the spherical hollow shape 7′ of the threaded pins 7 since a pre-centration is given by the tool receiver, such as Torx, disposed in front thereof.

A latching of the frame 8 to the threaded pins 7 is moreover facilitated in that the panel 5 and the frame 8 are matched to one another dimension-wise and thus a certain pre-decentration of the frame 8 with respect to the panel 5 and thus to the cutout of the door 4 and to the dispensing unit 1 is enforced.

An advantage lies in the fact that each threaded pin 7 can be adjusted individually, whereby tolerance deviations of the involved individual parts, that is, of the dispensing unit 1, the outer door 4, the panels 9, 10, the frame 8, etc., which occur, can be compensated.

The occurrence of discontinuous gaps (shadow gaps between the frame 8 and the panel 9 or 10) circumferentially around the contact surface is thereby prevented since every individual threaded pin 7 can be readjusted. The threaded pins are preferably arranged distributed such that such an adjustment or a clean, peripheral contact of the frame 8 at the outer panel 10 is ensured.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement comparable with FIG. 1, wherein the threaded pin 7 is screwed further into the threaded socket 6 in this case since the embodiment shown has a smaller overall thickness than that in accordance with FIG. 1. It is a case of a door with a backer panel 9, that is, a door of smaller overall thickness than in accordance with FIG. 1. The spacing between the outer door 4 and the frame 8 is reduced and thus the smaller total thickness of the door is taken into account by screwing the threaded pin 7 into the threaded socket 6.

Reference is otherwise made to FIG. 1 with respect to the further design of the arrangement.

FIG. 3 shows a variant in which no threaded pin in accordance with FIG. 7 is screwed into the threaded socket 6, but rather a screw 11, preferably a standardized screw. This thus represents a variant to the latching with ball geometry in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2. The head of the standardized screw serves as a latching means which is connected to a latch mount 8″ on the inner side of the frame 8. Optionally, a special screw having a geometrically defined head can also be used which would have to be adapted to the latch geometry of the frame 8. It is generally also conceivable to maintain the frame geometry in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2 and to provide a recess in the screw head into which the spherical head-shaped projection 8′ of the frame can be inserted.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed representation of the latch connection of the screw 11 to the latching means 8″ of the frame 8.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the latch means 8″ have an undercut which encompasses the screw head.

FIG. 5 represents a variant of the present invention in which the foamed part of the dispensing unit 1 is modified. The modification comprises the fact that a plurality of domes 6′ are already located at the foamed part of the dispensing unit 1 into which the standard threaded sockets 12 are arranged. The domes 6′ can be executed in one piece with the dispensing unit, i.e. are manufactured with it. This arrangement can take place, for example, by injection, pressing or hot embedding (ultrasonic welding). Standard threaded sockets 12 are thus preferably introduced into these domes 6′ in which the threaded pin 7 or the screw 11 can then be screwed. FIG. 5 shows this embodiment of the invention with an overlay door and FIG. 6 with a door with a backer panel 9 which has a smaller thickness than a door with an overlay panel 10.

It is generally also conceivable that the separate threaded sockets 12 are fully dispensed with and the domes 6′ already have a thread. This thread can already be provided in the injection process, whereby an arrangement results overall which is particularly simple to produce. The domes 6′ are manufactured with the manufacture of the dispensing unit or are immediately injected thereon and are then also immediately provided with a thread. The threaded pins 7 or screws are then screwed directly into the foamed part of the dispensing unit 1.

FIG. 7 shows, in a perspective representation and in a sectional representation, a straight outer door with a dispensing unit with a backer panel 9. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the panel 5 of the dispensing unit projects over the door and over the frame 8. The frame 8 in accordance with the invention is located between this panel 5 and the outer door or the panel 9 of the outer door.

FIG. 8 shows a comparable arrangement with an overlay panel 10, that is, with a particularly thick embodiment of the door. In this case, the panel 5 of the dispensing unit 1 is set back with respect to the outer side of the door. The frame 8 also has the task in this case to cover the transition between the dispensing unit 1 or between the frame 5 and the outer side of the door or of the panel 10.

As can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8, the panel 5 of the dispensing unit 1 has a recess through which the filling region of the dispensing unit 1 is accessible.

FIG. 9 shows, in a sectional representation, the threaded pin 7 as is used in the embodiments in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2.

On its upper side, the threaded pin 7 has a geometry 7″ for the tool reception. A partially spherical hollow body 7′ for the reception of the spherical continuation 8″ of the frame is located thereunder. A flexible middle region with kinking protection is designated by the reference numeral 73. The region 74 designates the section with external thread for the axial adjustability in the threaded socket 6.

It is generally naturally also covered by the invention that the threaded pin 7 is designed with an external thread and the socket with an internal thread.

In addition to the arrangement shown, it is likewise covered by the invention that the threaded socket or the threaded pin is arranged at the frame and the latching means are located at the dispensing unit. An adjustment in the depth direction can also be easily carried out in this manner.

If no covering of the door by panels is used, a panel can be used which peripherally covers the dispensing unit. If the foamed part of the dispensing unit partially passes through the cut-out of the door, as is the case in FIGS. 1 and 2, the panel is latched to the foamed part of the dispensing unit via this section of the dispensing unit and contacts the outer door. This panel can be designed in U-shape in cross-section, for example, with the upper limb covering the upper section of the part of the dispensing unit passing through the door and the lower limb covering the lower section of the part of the dispensing unit passing through the door and the front side connecting the two limbs facing the user. 

1. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having at least one wall or door which has a cut-out in which a dispensing unit, in particular for ice, a liquid or the like, is located or through which such a dispensing unit is accessible, wherein a frame is provided for the covering of the dispensing unit and wherein fastening means are provided by means of which the frame can be fixed, wherein the fastening means include at least one fastening apparatus which is adjustable by means of a thread in the thickness direction of the wall or door and which has connection means, in particular latching means by which the frame or another part of the unit can be connected, preferably releasably, to the fastening apparatus.
 2. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fastening apparatus is arranged at the door or at the dispensing unit or at an assembly connected to the door or dispensing unit and connected to the frame via the connection means; or the fastening apparatus is arranged at the frame and is connected via the connection means to the door or the dispensing unit or to an assembly connected to the door or the dispensing unit.
 3. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fastening apparatus has at least one socket, preferably a plurality of sockets, provided with a thread and in which a threaded bolt is arranged whose thread is in engagement with the thread of the socket.
 4. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein the threaded bolt comprises a part of the connection means.
 5. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein the at least one socket is arranged in or at the dispensing unit.
 6. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein the threaded bolt has a flexible region, in particular a flexible central section, for compensation of positional tolerances.
 7. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein the threaded bolt has a region for the reception of a tool.
 8. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the frame is executed peripherally or is only formed by a straight part, a curved part, an L-shaped part or a U-shaped part.
 9. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the fastening apparatus includes a screw, with a part of the connection means being formed by the screw head.
 10. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 9, wherein the fastening apparatus has at least one socket, preferably a plurality of sockets, provided with a thread and in which a threaded bolt is arranged whose thread is in engagement with the thread of the socket, and the screw is dimensioned such that its external thread is in engagement with the internal thread of the socket.
 11. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein the at least one socket is plugged into the dispensing unit, the door or the frame or is executed in one part with the dispensing unit, the door or the frame.
 12. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 3, wherein the socket has a dome-shaped section into which a threaded socket is inserted; or the socket has a threaded section formed in one piece with that of the socket.
 13. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein a plurality of fastening apparatus, preferably a plurality of fastening apparatus distributed over the periphery of the recess of the wall or door, are provided.
 14. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 1, wherein the door includes an outer door without a cover or an outer door on which one or more panels are arranged.
 15. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 14, wherein the panel is an overlay panel or a backer panel.
 16. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 2, wherein the fastening apparatus has at least one socket, preferably a plurality of sockets, provided with a thread and in which a threaded bolt is arranged whose thread is in engagement with the thread of the socket.
 17. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 16, wherein the threaded bolt comprises a part of the connection means.
 18. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 17, wherein the at least one socket is arranged in or at the dispensing unit.
 19. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 16, wherein the at least one socket is arranged in or at the dispensing unit.
 20. A refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit in accordance with claim 4, wherein the at least one socket is arranged in or at the dispensing unit. 